Restroom with a view gets much-needed privacy screens

IT'S FIXED: A new public restroom at a harbor-excursion pier behind the San Diego Convention Center drew unplanned attention when it turned out that the urinals were visible through the grated doorway (Just Fix It, Jan. 9).

The contractor for the project, in talks with the San Diego Unified Port District soon after the facility was completed, agreed that the entrance would have to be modified, and both the men's and women's restrooms were locked in the meantime.

Now they're open again, with mesh screens over the doors that let in some light but protect the privacy of the users.

UPDATE: San Diego city officials haven't identified which utility dug a trench along North Torrey Pines Road that led to at least four bicycling injuries late last year (Just Fix It, Jan. 23). But the uneven patch put in as a temporary repair to a treacherous rut may yet be smoothed out.

“We're still trying to figure out whose spot that is,” said Dave Zoumaras, deputy director of the city's Field Engineering Division. “We're going to keep following up.”

The division's investigation turned up a San Diego Gas & Electric Co. gas-line trench in the same vicinity that also needs work. It's not the one where the accidents have happened – this one goes straight across the traffic lanes, while the hazard to cyclists was nearly parallel with traffic. Zoumaras asked the utility to go back and do a better job anyway.

A cyclist who fell when his bike caught the rut north of Torrey Pines Scenic Drive in November was hospitalized with 13 rib fractures and a shattered clavicle. Cyclists say there were at least three other spills in subsequent weeks.

A city crew patched the rut after Just Fix It first inquired about the bicycle lane, but some cyclists say the temporary repair is still too rough.

Zoumaras said that if the utility responsible for the original rut isn't identified this week, he'll check into prospects for more city repairs to the bike lane.

“We can't just let it go forever,” he said.

NEED A PROBLEM SOLVED: Is there a problem that government hasn't taken care of despite your complaints? Whether it's a rusted-out playground or misleading traffic sign anywhere in San Diego County, Just Fix It might be able to help.

Complaint forms are at justfixit.uniontrib.com, or call (800) 820-8714.